2020 Macquarie University Credit Points and Grading system

While it is not possible to equate hours, credit points or grades exactly between institutions in North
American, Asia, Europe and Macquarie University, the following explanation of our grading system and
credit points description will assist you with the accreditation process.

Credit Points and Class Hours

Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students at Macquarie University study between 30 to 40

credit points per semester:
3 units = 30 credit points
4 units = 40 credit points
30 credit points are accepted as the minimum full- time load per semester and 40 credit points is the
maximum that undergraduate and postgraduate students can study per semester.

The study time needed for the completion of work in any unit varies widely from student to student,
from level to level, unit to unit and even from week to week, depending on the nature of the work, on
whether there are written assignments/essays due in any given week, and on the nature and frequency
of tutorial and practical assignments set.

Units Levels.
Macquarie University in line with other Australian universities has 3-year degrees for Arts, Science and
Economics, so undergraduate units are classified as 1000 level, 2000 level or 3000 level.
Specialisation in many areas begins in final year of High School, so Australian universities do not have a
year of breadth-type units.

Postgraduate units are at 8000 and 9000 level.

Generally, our unit levels are:

Undergraduate level = 1000 level (1st year)

Undergraduate level = 2000 level (2nd year)
Undergraduate level = 3000 level (3rd year)
Postgraduate level = 8000 and 9000 level

Assessment/Assignment
There is no continuous assessment at Macquarie University in the sense of weekly class tests or
assignments from which students can judge their progress. Macquarie students undertaking units in the
humanities and social sciences are typically required to complete anywhere between two to three
essays or assignments per unit per semester, varying between 1500-4000 words, depending on the
individual unit requirements. There is also EITHER a final examination OR a long essay in lieu of an
examination at the end of each unit. There is a great deal more individual study required at Australian
universities than many overseas students are accustomed to.
 Grades

The following table shows Macquarie’s grading system.

Macquarie University Standardised US equivalent ECTS equivalent

Numerical values

High Distinction (HD) 85-100 A A

Distinction (D) 75-84 A B
Credit (Cr) 65-74 B C
Pass (P) 50-64 C D
Fail (F) / Fail Absent (FA) Less than 50 Fail F

NOTE: Macquarie does not award + or – grades as a final grade.

Definition of Macquarie University grades

HD – denotes performance that meets all unit objectives in such an exceptional way and with such
marked excellence that it deserves the highest level of recognition.
D – denotes performance that clearly deserves a very high level of recognition as an excellent
achievement in the unit.
Cr – denotes performance that is substantially better than would normally be expected of competent
students in the unit.
P – denotes performance that satisfies unit objectives.
S – Pass grade. Used for units where grading is on a pass or fail basis only.
F or FA – denotes performance or attendance did not satisfy unit objectives.

European credit transfer system

7.5 ECTS = 10 Macquarie University credit points (1 unit/course)
30 ECTS = 40 Macquarie University credit points (or 1 semester – 4 units/courses)